Predators Game Day Preview: Nashville @ Montreal

by Chris Burton on Nov 18, 2010 6:00 AM EST in Nashville Predators Game Previews

[NHL.com] - [SB Nation] - [Eyes on the Prize]

Some schools of thought would say that dwelling on a loss is bad for you, and in some ways they'd be right - but if the Nashville Predators want to fix what ails them, it may be the only course of action. Tuesday night's loss against Toronto was so mistake-filled, so embarrassing, that the Predators must take the lessons learned there and apply them to the campaign going forward.

I don't want to hear anyone - fans, players, or coaching staff - talk about the postseason until this team discovers how to play winning hockey again. I'm not so pessimistic as to say the "season's over", or "fire Trotz", but when you let a team off the mat when ahead 4-1 and allow four power play goals in a period (regardless of the legitimacy of the penalties), then its time to look in the mirror. The responsibility not only falls to Barry Trotz and staff, but to Shea Weber. And Ryan Suter. And right on down the roster until every player has the mentality required to kick their opponent when they're down.

Tonight is about getting back to the basics of the game, and as such this preview will be short. Recall, however, the great San Jose Debacle of 2009-10. The Predators lost a game very similar to Tuesday night's, and rebounded with an incredible stretch of play that would ultimately push them into the postseason. While its much earlier in the season, another chance for a fresh start begins tonight. It's up to Nashville to make the most of it by beating the Montreal Canadiens.

The puck drops at 6:30, with coverage on FS-TN.

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I had completely forgotten about that San Jose game, yikes what a mess that was.

On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators. Catch me on Twitter at @Forechecker, or join our legions on Facebook at Facebook.com/OnTheForecheck.

by Dirk Hoag on Nov 18, 2010 7:34 AM EST reply actions

When Toronto scored to make it 4-4, that’s all I could think about. Led 4-2 against SJS and let in 4 3rd period goals.

by Chris Burton on Nov 18, 2010 7:59 AM EST up reply actions

This was worse

at least SJ was a top quality team that could do that to alot of folks on a bad night. TO was in the midst of an 8 game losing streak and being whipped soundly for 25 minutes or so should have ended it. credit to them for not quitting, BUT w/ all the penalties we gift wrapped some enthusiasm for them and delivered it w/ a nice bow of pathetic penalty killing.

by predswilrule on Nov 18, 2010 8:08 AM EST reply actions

Tonight in Montreal

will be a tough game – I hope the Pred’s are nice and pissed off. We KNOW they can score (nice goals against Toronto) – and I really hope that they stop taking stupid penalties and figure out their PK and PP. I’m very much in agreement that this isn’t totally a coaching failure, but a failure of the whole team – although I think that the GM ought to consider bringing in someone from the outside to deal with PP and PK . But tonight is one of those games that the Pred’s need to win – not just for points, but for their confidence.

by XVIII on Nov 18, 2010 9:39 AM EST reply actions

Any word on who will be in net?

I truly hope it’s Lindback. Just because I thing that Peks needs something of an awakening. Mitch Korn is amazing and I think Peks will get back on track, but until he stops giving up soft goals, we need to at least give Anders some time in front of the net. Hopefully that would also lead to some more disciplined play, since Anders is more of an “unproven entity” and would therefore force the lines to depend a little less on goaltending winning the game. Or, as of late, losing the game.

Oh, and for the love of all things hockey, scratch Klein. He is just not good lately.

I’m calling it 3-2 Preds in OT. I’ve never predicted an outcome, but I really, really want to win this one, lest I start wearing my Admirals jersey to Preds games, since the Admirals are a better team right now.

Seriously.

"Hockey is like a disease, you can’t really shake it." – Goaltender Ken Wregget

by rusherman on Nov 18, 2010 11:04 AM EST reply actions

I believe that...

Mitch Korn is in Milwaukee and Cincinnati this week to work with our goalies down there and isn’t on the trip right now.

That’s not to say he’s not watching and is still available to Rinne and Lindback a variety of ways, but…

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by Seth Lake on Nov 18, 2010 12:39 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Rinne

for WHATEVER reason, it seems his glove side is a bit loose. I can’t recall him having a weak glove side before, but it seems that lately, a lot of goals have made it past him on there. Not sure if starting Lindback is the answer tonight – I think Peks needs to be in the net, not only for his skills as our starter, but also for the psychological factor. But more importantly, the team just needs to not find a way to beat themselves tonight.

by XVIII on Nov 18, 2010 12:50 PM EST up reply actions

Any word

on lineup changes?
Maybe Spaling for Ward or Wilson? And for heaven’s sake get Goc on that 2nd PP unit.

by wrandsw on Nov 18, 2010 1:16 PM EST reply actions

SK's revenge!

Surprised no one’s mentioned SK or Frankie B’s “homecoming”….
I don’t think we’ve ever won in Bell Centre, but I’m hoping Sergei takes the opportunity (if given) to shine and gives us an extra spark to win.
Watching the game at Bud’s Sportsbar here in Chattanooga, if anyone in the area wants to join…

by Broadwaybully on Nov 18, 2010 1:30 PM EST reply actions

2-0 Win on 11/19/09 at Bell Centre

If you tweet who scored our goals in that game to @PredsNHL you can be registered to win a prize.

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by Seth Lake on Nov 18, 2010 2:10 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

That game was in Nashville, no?

by Broadwaybully on Nov 18, 2010 3:55 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, Sully scored those 2 in Nashville... We are winless in Montreal.

by Broadwaybully on Nov 18, 2010 3:59 PM EST up reply actions

How quickly they forget

The Preds were down 4-1 in the 3rd, but came back to win a 5-4 shootout at Montreal 3 years ago. Radek Bonk with the dagger!

On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators. Catch me on Twitter at @Forechecker, or join our legions on Facebook at Facebook.com/OnTheForecheck.

by Dirk Hoag on Nov 18, 2010 4:10 PM EST up reply actions

Fair nuff! stand corrected.

Although habseyesontheprize has us as 0-5 lifetime up there, as well.

Also, I miss Bonk.

by Broadwaybully on Nov 18, 2010 4:14 PM EST up reply actions

Sorry, my bad...

I remember being at that game…I saw Bob Gainey and a bunch of the Canadiens outside on Broadway afterwards.

I do remember the Bonk game though, I think that’s what I was thinking of. I knew we had won up there at some point…

Regardless…let’s not rely on history to tell the story, let’s make history tonight!

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by Seth Lake on Nov 18, 2010 4:24 PM EST up reply actions

Cooper reports...

That Trotz reports that Rinne will start tonight. Tom reported before the morning skate that Trotz told him only minor lineup changes, but gave no specifics…

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by Seth Lake on Nov 18, 2010 2:05 PM EST via mobile reply actions

So Seth what is your guess for “minor lineup changes?” Just line changes or someone other than Spaling, Sulzer and Belak being scratched? And what would you do?

by wrandsw on Nov 18, 2010 2:19 PM EST up reply actions

What would I do?

Sullivan – O’Reilly – Hornqvist
Dumont – Legwand – Ward
Erat – Goc – Kostitsyn
Smithson – Spaling – Tootoo

Scratch Wilson for Spaling. I know that’s gonna be highly unpopular here, but I think he’s being underutilized because he’s trying too hard and is losing confidence shift by shift. If he’s not going to be on a scoring line…why dress him and sit a key role player?

I think a game in the stands might actually be good for Wilson’s development allowing him to sit back and assess his game and hopefully slow things down for him.

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by Seth Lake on Nov 18, 2010 2:51 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

If that is the case

and I’m not disagreeing that it might be the best move, why not send him to Milwaukee to play large minutes? Or is a healthy scratch the first step and Milwaukee would be the last option?

On the other side could Wilson not slide in with Erat and Goc and make a strong line?

by wrandsw on Nov 18, 2010 3:18 PM EST up reply actions

Yes, that's the next step...

Wilson’s former winger in the USNTDP James Van Rimesdyk is going through a similar growth stunt in Philly and he has an additional year of pro experience on Wilson. JVR has spent significantly more time in the AHL and was recently a healthy scratch in Philadelphia after being ineffective.

I actually believe it’s in the long-term best interests of Wilson to be sent back to the AHL if he is not fitting in here rather than allowing his confidence to erode as he spins his wheels at the NHL level. We have all seen flashes of brilliance from Willy, but consistency is the next step in his development…

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by Seth Lake on Nov 18, 2010 3:49 PM EST up reply actions

I’d like to see what an Erat – Goc – SK74 line could do ….

by XVIII on Nov 18, 2010 3:37 PM EST up reply actions

Me too...

Jordin’s been having a great year and even scored a goal last game, but lets see what Goc and Erat can do with a more skill oriented player on their wing and lets see if Jordin can’t translate his energetic two-way play into an energy laden fourth line and see if he can’t spark some offense from there as well…

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by Seth Lake on Nov 18, 2010 3:51 PM EST up reply actions